Richard “Dick” Groch

Baseball Coach 1965-82

Richard “Dick” Groch

For close to two decades, SC4 baseball teams enjoyed success
throughout the state and nationally thanks to leadership of coach
Richard “Dick” Groch.

Groch led the Skippers to three appearances in the National Junior
College Athletic Association World Series during his 18 years in the
dugout. He compiled a 497-165 win-loss record, which included eight
Central Division, seven State and three North Central District titles.

The 1976 baseball team finished as the World Series runner-up. The
Skippers posted a 3-2 record at Grand Junction, CO, losing 10-8 in the
finals to Central Arizona College. Serving as bat boys for the 1976 team
were Groch’s sons, Brian and Nick.

The 1970 and 1972 squads also competed in the national tournament.

Groch, who also was a physical education instructor and basketball
assistant coach at the college, received Coach of the Year honors three
times.

During his career, Groch had 46 of his players go on to play
professional baseball, with several eventually playing in the Major
Leagues like Bill Nahorodny, Bill Fahey and Jeff Jones.

While at SC4, Groch was an assistant baseball coach with Team Canada
and he was a long-time scout for the New York Yankees. The St. Clair
resident remains involved in Major League Baseball as special assistant
to the General Manager and director of Pro Scouting/Player Personnel
with the Milwaukee Brewers.